5 Tips to Improve Drainage Around Your Foundation
Homeowners have several options for drainage systems. Here are five of the most effective:
1. Soil Grading
The excavated soil around the foundation hardens and settles as time passes, creating a dip at the foundation’s edge. This space collects precipitation, forming water puddles that seep into the foundation.
To prevent water buildup and seepage, add soil to the dip until it slopes away from the home. Use dense soil for proper yard grading, ensuring it slopes at least six inches every 10 feet from your foundation.
Avoid using mulch and sand, as they allow water to seep into the foundation, worsening the problem. Ensure the soil doesn’t reach the siding; leave at least a four-inch gap between the siding and the soil. This prevents the siding from rotting and termites and ants from accessing your home.
2. Gutters and Downspouts
Install gutter systems and downspouts to prevent foundation damage and ensure rainwater runs off the roof correctly. An inch of rainwater on the roof equates to 620 gallons of water. If allowed to accumulate around the house, that water could cause significant damage. A clog-free gutter prevents water spills or overflows, while the downspouts channel water away from the home’s perimeter.
3. French Drains
Exterior drainage systems, called French drains, help prevent water accumulation by directing water away from the foundation. Begin by digging a trench around the house, laying a drainpipe with perforated holes, filling it with gravel, and then backfilling it with soil.
To effectively direct rainwater, the trench should be three to four feet deep, two to three feet wide, and have a 3 percent to 5 percent downslope.
4. Curtain Drains
Curtain drains offer a targeted solution for homes built at the foot of a hill, where water flows downward toward the foundation’s slope. They intercept water before it reaches your foundation, effectively managing the water flow and preventing potential damage.
A curtain drain is a trench dug upward from your foundation, typically near the edge of the incline. It resembles a French drain, consisting of a perforated pipe wrapped in filter fabric surrounded by gravel. The curtain drain intercepts water before it reaches your foundation. The collected water then travels through the perforated pipe, exiting the drainage system at a designated outlet, like a pop-up emitter, dry well, or storm drain.
5. Interior Drainage Systems
BasementGutter™ interior drainage systems and sump pumps offer effective waterproofing solutions. Professionals install these systems by opening a trench, laying a pipe on top of the foundation stone, and connecting it to the sump pump. This system collects basement water seepage and directs it to the sump pump for ejection.
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